On December 9, 2011, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, working closely with the states and tribes has taken the next step to implement the air quality standards for smog, also known as ground-level ozone, which were initially put in place in 2008 by the previous administration. In September, the Office of Management and Budget returned to EPA the draft final rule addressing the reconsideration of the 2008 ozone standards. In letters to state and tribal representatives, EPA has identified which areas it anticipates will be meeting the 2008 ozone standards and those that do not. States, tribes and the public will have an opportunity to comment on these proposed decisions before the agency issues final designations in spring 2012. These proposed decisions are based on air quality monitoring data, recommendations submitted by the states and tribes, and other technical information. EPA will work closely with states and tribes throughout this process using a routine and common sense approach that improves air quality, maximizes flexibilities and minimizes burden on state and local governments as they strive to meet these long standing standards.

EPA Intended Designations (Not Final)

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The documents listed below are state responses to EPA's request for recommendations on the designation of areas for the 2008 ground-level ozone standards and EPA's responses to those submittals. These responses are provided here in PDF format for INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY and do not represent EPA's views on the appropriateness or adequacy of a state's or a tribe's recommendations.